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Corb continues Diplomacy Mode, but is clearly engaged in the physical portion of the test.
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Itephta continues.
"We require you to demonstrate
your abilities over the course of six
trials before rendering a decision and
to give you the Sky Key component
you seek."
He bows and rings a small bell.
"I have other business
to attend to so I have called upon an
Aeotsep to serve as the our guests’ guide,
instructor, and evaluator."
Itephta excuses himself and leaves you with Aeotsep.
You notice Aeotsep is an aged Garundi man
whose sun-weathered features
and kind face are traced with a
network of wrinkles.
"Greetings young masters.
Like many of our order in Tar Kuata, I
think experiencing and
overcoming the six trials are
an important part of any person’s
path to self-perfection; however,
self-perfection often benefits from
a good teacher. I will ensure you are
properly prepared, but you must do the rest."
He pauses and waits for confirmation from your group.
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Well I’m actually a young miss. But the old guy mightn’t see too well, so I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt.
Eadie is slightly confused about all the build up to the test.
VC Farabellus never gave us ANY warning before springing a pop quiz except, “THINK QUICK, NAVHELAN!” followed immediately by a fist, blade, rock, chainsaw, gazebo and/or feral possum to the head!
They’re a lawful sect – MAYBE ‘cos we’re visitors there’s some kinda liability issue?
She *shrugs* before falling back on her own Abadarian religious instruction. “I, Eadie Lodewijka Navhelan hereby absolve the Monastery of Tar Kuata of any responsibility pertaining to any injuries, be they physical, mental or social, that I suffer as a result of taking the Six Trials of Irori, hereafter referred to as the Test of Tar Kuata …”
"Very good. Please follow me."
Aeotsep leads your group to one
of the study rooms. Inside you see it
contains several bookshelves, a
small table, and a lectern on which
there is an open copy of a book entitled
"Unbinding the Fetters".
The elderly monk steps back into the hallway.
"Please wait here while I prepare the trials."
The book is open to a random page,
that elaborates on
complex and subtle metaphors that compare stages of
self-perfection to the creation of the world, implying
that mortal knowledge is a spark of divinity that spins
order out of chaos.
Arovandeon reads the passage for about 15 minutes and has a better understanding of the tome. Knowing from history it is a text of the
Iroran faith.
The selected passage elaborates on
complex and subtle metaphors that compare stages of
self-perfection to the creation of the world, implying
that mortal knowledge is a spark of divinity that spins
order out of chaos.
Lore also studies the tomb after Arovandeon.
She determines the book is the principle holy text of the Iroran faith and otherwise has a basic understanding of the deeper meaning that her elven companion has uncovered.
Another 15 minutes passes. Eventually, Aeotsep returns, he casually chats about the pages’ contents
"So I see you spent some time reviewing the text. Who found this to be of interest?
Did you each understand the excerpt?
He looks to each of you to respond before continuing.
"Let me know if I can shed light on the meaning of the writings. Otherwise, I have completed the preparations.
We can continue unless any of you wish to remain here."
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“Who found this to be of interest? Did you each understand the excerpt?”
Eadie struggles with a response. “Yeah, nah … well …” Before collecting her thoughts and putting them into her own words.
“I think most people of Faith in the Inner Sea believe mortal life had its genesis in some form from an act of the gods. From there I don’t think it’s too much of a stretch to say our thought processes – a direct or indirect divine endowment – are used to make sense of what’s going on around us, which is one interpretation of taming chaos with law.”
Eadie frowns a little. “Could perfect people produce a perfect world? I guess … but we’re starting from a pretty low base and anyway, I don't think Eadie Navhelan would be welcome in a perfect world. IF I made it there … I wouldn’t be … well, ME!”
“We can continue unless any of you wish to remain here."
Eadie removes her pack and shakes her head once before fitting her helm over her hair. “Let’s do this.”
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Arovandeon nods in agreement with Lore's words regarding the book. Eadie's, however, surprise him. He hadn't expected such philosophical thought from the woman and makes a mental reminder about books and their covers.
"If mortal knowledge is a spark of divinity," he says to Eadie, "then I believe you may have just had a religious epiphany."
To Aeotsep he says, "I would welcome more time to discuss this later, but for now, I am ready to continue."
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Corb defies logic, still maintaining Diplomacy Mode. He had silently hoped the book would have exploded and/or become a fearsome combatant, which would have removed the placidity of the peaceful room; the perfect mindset, in Corb's mind.
-Posted with Wayfinder
Aeotsep leads you into another room.
"This is known as the Hall of the Inward Gaze."
The room currently contains several
broad reed mats, racks holding
wooden weapons, and a pile of small
wooden boards.
The old monk continues.
My students, physical might is often
mistaken for brute force, emphasizing
strength without control accomplishes
little. Let me illustrate the point.
Aeotsep takes a wooden
board from the pile and outstretches his arm, holding
the board in front of his face. With a swift movement,
he releases the plank and strikes it in mid-air, breaking
the board into two symmetrical halves.
"Who among you is ready to repeat this first?"
This speed-break test requires precision as well
as strength. After releasing the board, the PC must
succeed at a DC 12 Dexterity check to strike the falling object in just the right spot.
If successful, the PC must then succeed at a DC 15
Strength check to break the plank in two.
A PC who has the Improved Unarmed Strike feat
gains a +5 bonus on both of these checks.
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Corb leaves Diplomacy Mode and nonverbally presents himself as the first attempter at the Punching Wood challenge.
Corb attempts to break a board in half, midair! He foregoes the sneaky, "Oh, I'll just hold it in front of me with my BONUS ARMS" technique, because such underhandedness is for cowardly weaklings.
Corb fails spectacularly in all accounts,
Corbalias picks up a plank and releases it, flailing with all four arms but does not connect with his mighty fists of fury.
Aeotsep smiles.
"That was an interesting attempt. I cannot say I have seen that technique used in all my years here.
I am sure with practice, someday you would succeed."
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Jonterra quietly comes foward and takes a board and holds it. Closing his eyes, he puts himself in a meditative stance, slowly breathing in and out as he visualizes breaking the board.
Tossing the plank in the air, Jonterra snaps out with a quick, deft punch, breaking the board into two equal halves. As the boards fall to the ground, he turns to Aeotaep and bows, then quietly takes his place among his companions.
Aeotsep smiles broadly and bows as Jonterra succeeds in smashing the board in halves.
"Very good. Excellent even. Truly a combination of power and control. Well done."
He steps back and picks up the other two boards from Khamul's and Arovandeon's attempts.
Aeotsep next takes a quarterstaff and
a blindfold from the weapon racks.
"Everyone in the room please close their
eyes and be silent."
Assuming you each comply, as he walks around you, he explains.
"Pay close attention to the sound of my footsteps and
the aroma of incense in his robes.
Consciousness is achieved through the sum of
senses, and relying on only one of them creates a false
perception of the world."
He stops.
"Now, open your eyes.
Who will volunteer to demonstrate what we
have learned?"
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Lore closes her eyes and listens to his footsteps and sniffs for the scent of him and his robes... she also tries to be aware of the movement of air currents over her skin indicating movement nearby. Then she opens her eyes and blinks a few times.
To her friends, she speaks softly, "I could try but if it involves hitting him with the staff while blindfolded, I'm afraid I'd be pathetically unable to wield such a large staff. Better let someone else a bit larger try this one."
"No, you will not try to strike me. I will strike you and you must avoid the blow using your other senses.
You actually may be better at this than you think."
The blindfolded PC
stands in the middle of the hall and must succeed
at a DC 15 Perception check (DC 18 in Subtier 6–7) to
determine the moment and direction from which the
monk strikes. If successful, the PC must succeed at
a DC 10 Dexterity check to dodge the blow or a DC 10
Strength check to parry it (DC 12 in Subtier 6–7). A PC
with the Blind-fight feat, blindsense, or blindsight gains
a +5 bonus on these checks.
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Jonterra merely nods to Eadie, though anone looking closely can see the hint of a smile play across his stony features.
After the master explains the next test, Jonterra bows again, then steps forward. Taking a deep breath, then exhaling slowly, the oread closes his eyes, plants his legs in a wide stance, flexing at the knees. Crossing his arms across his chest, he attunes his senses to the slightest disturbance.
Pushing away all sensations and emptying his mind, Jonterra first hears the soft swishing of Aoetsep's robes. As his skin feels the neigh imperceptible bow wave of air as the staff is swung, the oread's left hand snaps out and catches the staff inches from his head.
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No way Jonterra gets to have all the fun!
Eadie bows and smiles pleased at her friend's success, before holding the blindfold up high in two hands and tying it around the eye slits of her helm, like a samurai before a kamikaze mission.
She bows respectfully once more to Aeotsep, signalling that she is ready.
Eadie feels the air displaced by the incoming blow quite clearly, but as both her hands *snap* up to grab the staff, her grasping fingers merely interlock with their opposites.
Uh, oh! That means ...
The blow lands solidly right between her eyes, knocking the black knight unceremoniously onto the place where she sits.
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Lore stands and shrugs. "I'll try then... No sense letting Jon show us all up..." She smiles and gives Jonterra a little wink, then ties the blindfold around her eyes, careful not to muss her hair. She concentrates on her awareness of Aeotsep and his location and movements...
When the attack comes, she is ready for it, and tries to dodge out of the way.
She succeeds... "maybe being small has it's advantages from time to time." She smiles and bows to Aeotsep and hands him the blindfold.
Aeotsep grins approvingly.
"Well done my pupils. Well done. We shall see how you all perform on the next test."
The next trial takes place by the waterfall to the west
of the village, and the walk through the Down Valley
attracts the attention of curious bystanders.
Several dozen people take a brief break from
their work to observe the trial.
A trail ascends 40 feet to a
mountain ledge, where a series of wooden posts overlooks
the waterfall’s plunge pool.
Aeotsep hops atop one of the posts and explains.
"Please hop up here. This trial is to stand
immobile for 1 hour. Though at face value this seems to
be a test of balance, the trial is actually designed to test
resilience and resoluteness."
Maintaining one’s balance for 20 minutes requires a
successful DC 10 Acrobatics check (DC 13 in Subtier 6–7),
and each PC must succeed at three consecutive checks in
order to last the hour without falling. The DC increases
by 5 for each subsequent check unless the PC succeeds
at a DC 13 Fortitude or Will save (DC 16 in Subtier 6–7)
before attempting the Acrobatics check. A PC who fails
the Acrobatics check falls in the plunge pool below, taking
1d6 points of nonlethal damage.
One everyone is in position, he calls out.
"And begin!"
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"An interesting challenge, and one I believe will be far more difficult then it appears. Let us see." Arovandeon takes up position and concentrates.
Keeping his balance and standing still proves no problem, even when a cramp develops in one leg early in the challenge. At the end of the time period he tries to continue, just for the sake of curiosity.
Though he suffers through the cramp, he cannot maintain much longer then the required period of time and eventually steps down, rubbing at his sore leg.
Arovandeon and Jonterra manage to go the distance.
Lore plunges into the pool after a short time of standing.
"Well done you two. Someone help the lady out of the water."
He smiles at the men and then points to one of the nearby monks to help Lore.
"Very good. You have done well, my students."
Aeotsep motions you to follow him as he leads you
back into the monastery and to
a hidden trail,
“Many years after he began to teach students in these
mountains, Narmek Tar Kuata challenged the air spirits for
mastery of the winds. They attempted to tear him from the
peak, but he struck the mountain and caused a great pillar
of stone to rise high into the sky. Acknowledging Narmek Tar
Kuata’s superiority, the air spirits granted him the respect he
had earned, and have served the monastery ever since. The
spire, as we call it, still stands as a reminder of our alliance
with these spirits, and our founder’s remains reside in a
reliquary at its top.”
Aeotsep steps out from the covered path and into
daylight, where a impossibly tall stone pillar rises from
the mountainside.
“Climbing to the top symbolizes the
metaphysical ascent that Narmek Tar Kuata realized. This
climb is your next trial.”
To overcome this trial, the PCs must scale the spire
in a single attempt. This requires three successful DC 15
Climb checks. If a PC fails a check by 5 or more, he falls
and fails the test. The invisible stalkers (Pathfinder RPG
Bestiary 181) that frequent the spire catch any falling PCs
and fly them to the top.